Shutter control for a cooling system



June 2, 1936. l.. G. HARTDORN i 2,042,842

SHUTTER/CONTROL FOR A COOLING SYSTEM Filed Oct. lO, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet lv BY I ML ATTORNEY .j

June 2, 1936. L G, HARTDORN 2,042,842

SHUTTER CONTROL FOR A COOLING SYSTEM Filed Oct, 1Q, 1930 5 sheets-sheet 2 ai?. 7. 4Z Z3 294 4 ellllil- A' J6 .l v I 1N VEN TOR. 0a/5 6.77/1# Tao/wv .Eme 2, 1936. L G, HARTDORN 2,042,542

SHUTTER CONTROL FOR A COOLING SYSTEM Filed Oct. lO, 1930 A 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lnifT-m INI-i A TTORNEY IN VEN TOR.

gulle 2, E936. GfHARTDORN 2,042,842

SHUTTER CONTROL FOR A COOLING SYSTEM Filed oct. 1o, 195o 5 sheets-sheet 4 /f/ f g n (-2- A TTORNEY June 2, 1936,

L. G. HARTDORN 2,042,842

SHUTTER CONTROL FOR A COOLING SYSTEM Filed O ct. l0, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 2, 1936 iJN'iE STATES PATENT OFFICE SHUTTER CONTROL FOR A COOLING SYSTEM 17 Claims.

The present invention relates to control mechanism for the cooling system of internal combustion engines and more particularly to -the thermostatic control oi radiator shutters.

It is a common practice to connect the shutters of motor vehicle radiators to a thermostat placed in the radiator so that as the temperature of the radiator varies the shutters will be correspondingly opened or closed. A disadvantage .of this arrangement in hot weather is that the thermostat does not respond quickly enough so that by the time the shutters have opened the radiator will be overheated. Even after the shutters are opened the cooling eiiect may not be adequate to carry o the surplus heat. It is an lobject of the present invention to provide a convenient means whereby the shutters may be locked open whenever desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for locking the shutters open without subjecting the thermostat to any strain,

The ordinary thermostatic control in which the shutters are directly connected to the thermostat is also unsatisfactory in cold weather because, due to sluggishness or heat inertia in the thermostat, the shutters are likely to remain open too long, particularly after the motor has been stopped, with the result that occasionally part .of the cooiing system actually freezes before the shutters close or the temperature of the cooling system drops below the freezing point. Hence, in cold weather it is desirable to have the shutters close as soon as the motor stops running, thereby conserving the heat in the radiator to facilitate restarting yof the motor. On this account, my invention has for an object to provide means for automatically disestablishing the operative relation `between the thermostat and the shutters when the motor stops running, so as to permit the shutters to close instantly under impulse of a spring, said means acting however to reestablish the operative relation between the thermostat and the shutters as soon as the motor is started.

I am aware that it is not new in the art to provide a connection between the thermostat and shutter which is controlled by the suction of the motor, but, heretofore, such connection has not been rigid but has varied with the suction so that under certain conditions the shutters would close when it was most necessary to keep them open.

In my Patent No. 1,775,344, issued September 9, 1930, I described a clutch mechanism between the thermostat and the shutters which clutch is (Cl. 12S-174) xed as long as the motor is running and which is disengaged as soon as the motor stops. In application Serial No. 361,562, led May 9, 1929, a similar arrangement is provided, but, in this case, instead of directly controlling the connection between the thermostat and the shutters, I provide instead a backing for the thermostat which backing is fixed and holds the thermostat in operative position as long as the motor is running, but which when the motor stops is re- 10 leased so that the thermostat may expand or contract without in the least affecting the shutters, it being understood that the shutters will close immediately under impulse of a spring when not held open by the thermostat. An object of l5 the present invention is to provide improvements V on and modifications of the constructions described in said patent and said copending application.

Not only is it desirable to keep the shutters open in hot weather, and in cold weather to close the shutters as soon as the motor stops running, but there is an intermediate condition, as in spring and autumn, when it is desirable to maintain control of the shutters by the thermostat without intervention of motor control. It is therefore an object of my invention to provide means by which the motor control of the connection between the thermostat and the shutters may be rendered inoperative Whenever so de- 30 sired.

Another object .of the invention is to provide an automatic regulator which may be conveniently located on the instrument board of a motor vehicle and by which the driver, Without leaving 3 his seat, may set the shutter control mechanism for hot, cold or moderate weather conditions.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will appear in the following description of several embodiments thereof and thereafter the novelty and scope of the invention will be pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a portion of an automobile partly broken away to disclose my improved shutter control mechanism installed therein;

Fig. Z is a view in section of a dash-board regulator for the shutter control mechanism, the section being taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmental view in section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, with a cylinder and certain other parts shown in full and representing the position of the parts as set for cold weather conditions when the radiator is hot,

Vpair of outwardly extending arms 36.

but the shutters are closed because the motor has stopped running;

Fig. 4 is a view in section of said cylinder and associated parts, the thermostat being omitted, and the section being taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 5 is a similar view, but only partly in section, illustrating the position of the parts when the radiator is hot, but the shutters are open because the motor is running;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the apparatus with certain parts broken away and others in section illustrating the relative position of the parts when the apparatus is set for summer or hot weather conditions;

Fig. '7 is a fragmental side View partly in section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmental View in section taken on the line 8 8 ci Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a side view of the apparatus looking in the direction of the arrows 9--8 of Fig. 6 with certain parts broken away and other parts in section;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention showing `means for connecting the thermostat and shutters without intervening motor control and showing how the parts may be set to hold the shutters open, regardless of the condition of the thermostat;

Fig. 11 is a iront elevation of the same with certain parts broken away;

Fig. l2 is a plan View of another modied form of the invention which includes clutch means controlled by the motor for connection between the shutters and the thermostat;

Fig. 13 is a View in section taken substantially on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12;v

Fig. 14 is a iragmental view in section taken on the line I4-I4 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a sectional' plan view of still another modification of motor controlled clutch connection between the thermostat and shutters;

Fig. 16 is a View in section taken on the line iiii5 of Fig. 15; and

Fig. 17 is a view in section taken on the line H i'l of Fig. 15.

In Figure 1 the upper portion of an automobile radiator 25 is shown with the usual shutter shell 22 ntted over the radiator and carrying shutters 23 mounted to turn on vertical axes. A spring 23a tends to close the shutters. In the upper portion of the radiator there is an opening fitted with a flange ring 24 which serves to support a thermostat that projects into the radiator.

As best shown in Fig. 3, the thermostat is of the bellows type and comprises a main casing 25 of cup-shape which has an outwardly turned rim 26. Between this rim and the flange ring 24 is fitted a gasket 21 and bearing against the outer iace of the rim is a plate 28 which is clamped in place by a locking ring 28 screwed into the ilange ring 24. The bellows 30 of the thermostat is secured at its outer end to a flange 3l carried by the casing 25 and at its opposite end to a plate 32 which is provided with a central stem 33. The thermostat contains a volatile fluid between casing 25 and bellows 30 so that when the thermostat is heated it will force the stem 33 outward and when cooled will draw the stem 33 inward.

A cup shaped support 34 is attached to the "thermostat by a bolt 35 screwed into the stern 33.

The cup 34 is cut away at opposite sides leaving a These arms are connected at their outer ends by means of a strap plate 31. A cylinder 38 is fitted to slide in the cup 34 and is provided on opposite sides thereof with studs 39. The cup is formed with recesses 48 through which the studs project. Brackets 42 secured to the plate 28 are also 5 formed with recesses alined with the recesses 46 to provide clearance for the studs 39. A pair of bell cranks 44 are fulcrumed to the brackets 42. One arm of each bell crank is slotted to receive one of the studs 39 while the other arms 45 of 10 the bell cranks have pivotal connection with a yoke 41. The yoke 41 is connected to the shutters 23, whereby movement of the cylinder 38 with respect to the brackets 42 will cause opening or closing of the shutters. -15

Mounted to operate within the cylinder 38 (Figs. 4 and 5) is a plunger comprising a plunger head 55 iitted with a cup leather 5 I which bears against the walls of the cylinder. The cup leather is ilared outwardly or toward the outer end of the cylinder so that it will provide a tight seal against suction in the cylinder, but will yield to pressure in the cylinder.

A clutch is provided for iixing the cylinder 38 to the cup 34. This clutch is engaged by relative 25 movement of the cylinder 38 and plunger 50 to a predetermined locking position and is disengaged by relative movement to a predetermined unlocking position, but at intermediate positions the clutch is not affected. The plunger is pro- 30 vided with a stem 52 which at its outer end is formed with a head 53. Mounted to slide on the stem 52 is a 'sleeve 54. This sleeve has an enlarged bore to clear the head 53 of the stem but at its inner end the bore is reduced to t closely 35 on vthe stem. A screw plug 55 limits the play of the head 53 in the enlarged bore of the sleeve 54. The sleeve 54 is adapted to slide in a tubular bearing member 56 formed on the strap plate '31. They outer end of the cylinder 38 is closed by a plate 66 in which a central bushing 6i is fixed. in this bushing the tubular bearing member 56 is adapted to slide. The member 56 is provided with holes 62 near its free end to receive a number of balls 53 which are of larger diameter than 45 the wall thickness of the member 56 and the bore or the bushing 6I at its inner Vend is enlarged to form a cup '64 which the balls may enter to clear the end of the sleeve 54 when the parts are in position shown in Fig. 5. A compression spring 66 is iitted between the strap plate 31 andthe cylinder plate Si! which tends to move the parts to the declutched position shown in Fig. 4. A compression spring 61 within the cylinder bears against the plunger head 58 tending to force the plunger outward with respect to the cylinder. At one side of the cylinder there is a duct 68 which opens into the cylinder at the inner end of the latter. The opposite end of the duct communicates with a pipe 58 leading to the intake manifold of the motor or to any other part in which vsuction is induced by the running of the motor.

The operation of the mechanism so far described is as follows: When the motor is operated.

suction results in the pipe 53 and hence in the 65 'cylinder 33, which causes relative movement oi plunger i? Varies with the temperature of the thermostat because the spring ii? presses it outwardly (downwardly, as viewed in Fig. l) with the stem-head 53 bearing against plate 3l of cup fist and said cup in turn` has a xed connection to the movable element 32 of the thermostat. When the thermostat is hot the plate 3i is moved outwardly to the position shown in Fig. l and the plunger 59 is widely spaced from the head of cylinder S3. Now, when the motor is started the resultant suction within the cylinder 33 first draw the plunger inwardly (upwardly, as shown in Fig. 4) to take up the play of head in sleeve 51% and then the plunger will be cheeked by the balls which overlie the end oi sleeve 54. Thereafter the cylinder 3S must move outwardly, causing the shutters 23 to open. When the cylinder 3S has moved far enou h for the cup Si@ to come into alinement with the balls said balls will be forced out into the cup l by sleeve 5t due to further inward movement oi piling er 5E. The cylinder will then be clutched to the thermostat, as shown in Fig. 5, and the shutters 23 will be under direct control oi the thermostat.

If the thermostat is cold when the motor is started the plate 3'! may be so far retracted as to bring the balls 33 into alineroent with cup o4. Then when suction is developed t cylinder 38 there will be no outward me' Yl of said cylinder but the plunger will be dr. inwardly, forcing balls 63 into cup and thereof,l clutching the cylinder 33- fast to the thermostat.

other words, the clutching takes place without opening of the shutters.

The clutch engagement continue: as long as is any suction in the cylinder and not valle-d by fluctuations of suction, for as the suc tion v ies, the plunger 5@ will play outward d inward, but it will not release the clutch l the stem head 5S has taken up the play in the sleeve till and has moved the sleeve 5t outward suicientlyror the balls to clear the end of said sleeve. Since such a condition takes `olace only when the suction is reduc-ed to pro-.cti the shutters will be controlled by the t directly as long as the engine is running, less of variation of suction produced by gine. When the engine stops, however, suction in the cylinder 38 will be reduced to zero and spring l' will force the plunger 5d outward to the position shown in Fig. fl, thereby releasing the clutch and disconnecting the shutters the thermostat. The shutters, it will be u erstood, are arranged to close under presin the usual manner, so that when disconneoted from the thermostat they will immediately close and retain heat in the radiator, regardless ot the condition of the thermostat at the time. Y

The operation of the shutters as so of scribed relates to winter or cold weather co tions. To take care of summer or hot weather conditions, means are provided for looking the shutters 23 open, and a lost motion is provided between the yoke l? and the shutters so as to M .s idle play of the parts in response to me tatie action. Thus the thermostat is not strained when the shutters are locked open'. To provide for said lost motion the yoke has a tubular extension l2 through which posses a bar 7i. The latter is formed with a head which bears against the inner face of the yoke A spring l5 about the bar 'i3 and within the extension l2 presses at one end against the outer face of the yoke and at the opposite end against a coupling 7E which connects the bar i3 to an op ating rod Tl. The rod Il is screwed into coupling i5 to provide for adjustment and i3 locks the rod at the desired adjustment. rod T! is connected to the shutters in the usual manner. so that when the bell cranks are in the position shown in Fig. 3, the shutter is closed and when in the position indicated by broken lines in Fig. 5, the shutters are opened. As sh particularly in Figs. 3 and 5, the head i formed withl a pair of arms 8|! extending inn-ai l toward the clutch mechanism. Between these arms is a latch 8| pivoted on a pin and provided near its free end with a transve ate slot 33 which is engaged by a pin the arms 8i). This slot limits the extent of os lation of the latch 8|. A spring 85 secured to the head 'i4 bears against the latch and holds it normally in the position shown in Fig. 3. A bracket 86 is secured to the plate 28 and a threaded bearing 81 for a bolt 88. The bolt 83 is tted with a spring pressed plunger hav.- a head 8. By turning the bolt 83 the may be extended into the path of the l i i so that when the shutters are opened either inanually or by the next thermostatic actuation, the latch' t2 will snap by the bolt head 39 and will lock the shutters in open position. The s pressed plunger will yield if the bolt hap be fed outward when the latch lies in the of the plunger and the latter will then spring outward as soon as the latch 8l is moved clear.

To provide for moderate Weather conditions when it is advisable to maintain connection between the shutters and the thermostat whether the motor is running or not, means are provid d for holding the plunger El? so that it engage the clutch. To this end an arm is fixed to a shaft 9| journaled in the strap pli-te 3i. This arm projects through a slot in the cylinder plate 69 and normally occupies the position shown by broken lines in Fig. 7. however, the arm 9B is swung to the pcf i shown by full lines, it bears against ilange 55a of the plunger head preventing plunger 52S from moving sufciently to relel clutch connecting the cup 34 and the cyli Consequently, once the clutch has been engaf it cannot be automatically released when suction in the cylinder falls to zero.

To move the arm to operative position the following mechanism is provided: Fixed to the shaft 9| is a crank 94 (see also Fig. 8) which at its outer end has a screw 95 engaging a slot 9:3 in a link 91. This link is arranged to slide along the face of the bracket 86 and to guide it in such sliding movement it is formed with a slot 98 which is engaged by a screw 99 carried by the bracket 8E. An angular extension Ille of the link 97 is mounted to slide on the tubular exterior of the bearing 81. On this bearing and tted between the angular extension |00 and a shoulder 87a near the inner end on the bearing 8l is a spring |0|. A more powerful spring |92 bears against the opposite side of the extension les and is engaged at its opposite end by a flange collar |03 xed upon the bolt 8%. The bolt is fixed to a flexible shaft |34 which extends to a regulating mechanism mounted on the dashboard of the automobile.

The regulating mechanism is shown clearly in Fig. 2. It comprises a dial casing |65 tted with a dial |06 and a needle 01. The needle |01 is provided with a gear |08 which meshes with a pinion |09 carried by an operating shaft ||0. The latter projects through the outer face of the casing and is fitted with a thumb piece |2. The

flexible shaft |05 is connected to the shaft I0 by a coupling H3. The gearing between shaft ||0 and the pointer or needle |01 is such that a number of turns of the shaft ||0 will have to be made to Vswing the needle |01 through an angle of 180 degrees. On 'the face of the dial |06 are the markings. Winter, Spring and Autumn and Summer. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1, the needle |01 points to Winter. If it be desired to couple the thermostat to the shutters so as to operate them directly regardless of whether the engine is running or not the thumb piece ||2 is turned until the pointer moves to Spring and Autumn. On turning the shaft ||0 and the flexible shaft |04 connected thereto, the bolt 88 is moved outwardly itoward latch 8| and since the spring |02 is stronger than the spring |0| the link 91 will be moved in the same direction sufficiently to swing the arm to the operative position where it will prevent release of the clutch. The bolt head 29, however, will not have been advanced sufhciently to engage the latch 8|. 1f the needle |01 is turned to spring and autumn position while the clutch is disengaged and the parts occupy the position shown in Fig. 3, the arm 90 cannot swing to clutch locking position. The spring |021 will then yield until the motor is next started and the clutch is engaged, when the arm 90 will be swung under impulse of the spring |02 to the clutchlocking position shown in Fig. '1.

If it be desired to lock the shutters open so that they cannot be operated by the thermostat, the thumb piece ||2 is turned further until the needle |01 points to Summer. This will cause the bolt 38 to move out until its head 80 lies in the path of the latch 8|. Thereupon if the radiator is not already hot, the shutters will open as soon as the radiator does become heated and the latch 8| will then engage the bolt head 89, holding the shutters open. Owing to the spring connection 15 between the bar 13 and the yoke l1 the thermostat and associated mechanism can operate freely without strain although the shutters are held open.

In Figs. l0 and 11, I show another form of my invention adapted for use in systems which do not employ means controlled by the running of the motor to eifect connection between the thermostat and the shutters. In this modification, means are provided for holding the shutters open under hot weather conditions regardless of the operation of the thermostat. In Fig. 10, a portion of an automobile radiator is shown at |20 which is provided with the usual opening 'to receive a thermostat. This opening is closed by a plate |2|. Said plate |2| carries a housing |22 into which projects a rod |23 which at its inner end is connected to the thermostat (not shown). The outer end of the rod |23 is pivotally connected to a crank |24 xed upon a shaft |25 journaled in the housing |22. This shaft projects from one side of the housing |22 and carries near its outer end a crank arm |26. The arm |26 is Xed upon the squared portion of the shaft |25, so as to turn with said shaft and is secured upon the shaft by a nut |21 screwed upon the threaded end of the shaft. Journaled upon the body of the nut |21 is a leverV |28 which :at one end is formed with a.flange |29 bearing a set screw |30. This set screw s threaded through the flange |29 and may be secured at any desired adjustment by a lock nut |3|. Adjacent the flange |29 is a pin |32 riveted or otherwise secured to the lever |28 and projecting across the path of the crank |26. 'I'he crank |26 is preferably formed with a notch |33 to receive the pin |32. The outward end of the lever |28 is bifurcated to provide trunnion bearings for a block |34. The operating rod |35 which is connected to the shutters, passes through the block |34 and may be secured at desired adjustment with respect to said block by means of lock nuts |36 threaded on the rod and bearing against opposite ends of the block 34. It will be observed that while rod 11 in the structure shown in Fig. lis pulled by the thermostat to open the shutters, the rod |35 of Fig. 10 is pushed by the thermostat in the direction of the arrow to open the shutters.

Under normal conditions, when it is desired to have the thermostat actuate the shutters, the adjusting screw |30 is unscrewed so as to provide sufficient clearance between the end of said screw and the plate |2| for the shutters to close.

Then as the thermostat heats up the crank arm |26, by engaging the pin |32, will cause the lever |28 to oscillate and force the rod |35 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 10, opening the shutters. When the thermostat contracts and the arm |26 is withdrawn from the pin |32 the lever |28 will follow the movement of the arm |26, owing to the spring pressure normally provided on the shutters and tending to return them to closed position. When it is desired to prevent ope-ration of the shutters by the thermostat and to hold them open regardless of the operation of the thermostat, the set screw |30 is turned to engage the plate 2| and swing the lever |28 to position shown in Fig. 10. This causes the shutters to open and they will remain in such open position regardless of the thermostat which then merely operates the arm |26 idly.

In Figs. 12 to 14 inclusive, I show another form of my invention in which a clutch controlled by the running condition of the motor elfects the connection between the thermostat and the shutters. In this modification, a portion of the automobile radiator is shown at |40 and is provided with an opening |4| in which the thermostat (not shown) is seated. 'Ihe opening |4| is closed by a plate |42 provided at its center with a housing |43 into which projects a rod |44. This rod is connected at its inner end to the thermostat, while the Aend within the housing is pivotally connected to a crank |45 fixed upon a shaft |46. This shaft extends through one side of the housing and has fixed thereon a collar |41 provided with a curved offset arm |48. Rising from the plate |42 are posts |50 which support a cylindrical bracket |5|. Slidable in this bracket is a cylinder |52 which normally bears against the cam arm |48. If desired, the cam arm may be slotted as shown at |53 to clear the head of a bolt |54 projecting from the inner'end wall |55 of the cylinder |52. 'I'his merely serves as a guide and is not essential to the operation of the mechanism.

Fitted within the cylinder |52 is aplunger |56 which is provided with an eccentric stem |51. A pin |58 also projecting from the plunger is adapted to slide in a bearing |59 carried by the end wall |55 and serves to guide the plunger so as to prevent cramping thereof Ydue to the eccentric location of the stem |51. A clutch is provided for connecting the cylinder to a shutter operating arm |61, and this clutch is controlled by the stem I 51 of the plunger in a manner similar to that described in connection with the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive. The stem |51 carries a sleeve head |60 which has limited axial play on the stem |51 like the member 55 on stem 52. The sleeve-head |60 slides in a sleeve |6| and the latter in turn slides in a bushing 62 fixed to the end wall |55. The sleeve is secured to a disk |64 by a screw |65 which is threaded into the bore of the sleeve. The disk |65 is provided with trunnions |66 journaled in the arm |61, which is U-shaped, as clearly shown in Fig. 14. The arm |61 is mounted to turn freely on the body of a nut |58 screwed on the end of the shaft |46. The sleeve-head |60 on the stem |51 is formed with a reduced por'- tion |60. At the inner end of the sleeve |55 are holes to receive balls |10 of larger diameter than the sleeve wall. When the clutch is disengaged the balls |10 overlap the inner end of the reduced portion |55 of the sleeve-head. The inner end of the bushing |52 is provided with an enlarged bore forming a cup |1|. A compression spring |12 is tted between the wall |55 and the disk |65. A compression spring |13 is tted between the outer .end wall or head |14 of the cylinder and the plunger |56. The cylinder head |14 is formed with a hollow extension or boss |15 which is at all times in open communication with the interior of the cylinder and communicating with the interior of this extension is a pipe |16 which leads to the intake manifold of the motor.

The operation of the mechanism as so far described is as follows: When the parts are in position shown in the drawings the rod |54 will move inward or outward under control of the thermostat and in so doing will cause the cam arm |08 to oscillate, moving the cylinder |52 correspondingly. When the motor is running, suction is produced in the cylinder |52 causing relative movement between the plunger |56 and the cylinder head |10 against the pressure of the spring |13. Owing to this relative movement, the sleevehead |65 of the plunger stern |51 engaging the balls |16, will draw the sleeve |6| into the bushing |62, and after the parts are moved suiciently to bring the balls |10 into register with the cup 1|, the balls will be forced outward into the cup Vil by the reduced portion |69 of the stem head. When ti is happens, the sleeve |6| will be locked fast to the cylinder |52 so that the disk 56 and the U-shaped arm |61 in which it is journaled will be clutched to the cylinder. It will be observed that in this case the clutch operation while similar to that shown in Figs. 4 and 5 differs therefrom in the fact that the position of the cylinder |52 when declutched is limited by the thermostat, and the plunger |56, except for the lost motion in the sleeve-head, is controlled by the shutters. The cylinder |52 is forced toward the left, as shown in Fig. 13, by the arm |45 which is controlled by the thermostat, while the plunger |56 is limited in its outward movement (toward the right, as shown in Fig. 13) by the screw |65 which lsecures the sleeve |5| to the disk |64 carried by the U-shaped arm |61. Normally, the |61 is held in the position shown in Fig. 12 by means described hereinafter which operatively connect said arm |51 with the shutters, the latter being normally closed. When suction is developed in the cylinder |52, it can not be drawn toward the right if the thermostat is hot because it is checked by the arm |58. Hence the plunger |56 must be drawn inwardly (to the left as shown in Fig. 13) until the balls |10 are forced out into the cup 1|. In this movement of the plunger, however, the arm |61 is swung on its pivot and causes the shutters to open. If the thermostat were cold, however, the suction would cause the cylinder |52 to move toward the right, as shown in Fig. 13, until it contacted with the arm |48. In any case, the cylinder |52 would be clutched to the arm |61 by relative movement of the plunger |56 and cylinder |52 and thereafter any movement of the thermostat would be communicated to the shutters.

Jeurnaled on the body of the nut |68 adjacent the arm 51 is a lever |13 which carries a pin |19 projecting into the path of said arm. The opposite end of the lever |18 is bifurcated to provide bearings for a blo-ck 80, and through this block passes a rod |8| which is connected to the shutters. Like rod |35, the rod |8| must be pushed by the thermostat (to the right, as shown in Fig. 12) to open the shutters. The rod |8| is threaded to receive lock nuts |82 bearing respectively against opposite sides of the block |80 and providing for adjustment of the rod |8| with respect to the lever |13. The usual spring pressure on the shutters tending to hold them shut urges the rod |8| in the direction of the arrow zc, Fig. 12, and holds the pin |19 normally in engagement with the U-shaped lever |51. When the thermostat .expands and the lever |61 is clutched to the cylinder |52 so that it moves in response to the thermostat, it will cause opening of the shutters owing to engagement of the pin |19 with the U-shaped lever |51. This condition prevails however only while the motor is running because it is only at such times that the clutch is engaged. Once the clutch has been engaged variations of suction produced by the engine will not release the clutch until the suction is reduced to practically Zero because it will be obvious that the stem |51 can move considerably before the portion |60 of the sleeve-head |60 will clear the balls |10. The extent of this movement depends upon the length of the reduced portion |59 and also upon the free play of the sleeve head |60 on the stem |51 and between the sleeve-head |60 and the screw |65. When the suction is reduced to zero the spring |13 causes the plunger to move to` the right as viewed in Fig. 13, until the portion |69 of the sleeve-head clears the balls and permits them to move inward upon the stem |51, clearing the cup 1| thereupon the spring |12 will return the parts to the position shown in Fig. 13.

1n order to lock the shutters open in hot weather the following mechanism is provided: Swiveled upon one end of the lever |18 adjacent pin` |19 is a block |85 through which a rod |86 is threaded. This rod is connected to a shaft |81 by a pin-and-slot coupling |88 providing considerable lost motion. The shaft |81 is connected at its opposite end to a flexible shaft |89 which like the shaft |04 above described runs to a regulator of the type shown in Fig. 2. By turning the shaft |89, the rod |86 will be fed forward with respect to block |85 and with the free end o-f the rod abutting against the plate |42 will force the arm |18 rearward, thereby since pin |19 on lever I18'is held clear of the lever |61.

When the regulator Yis turned to moderate weather position the rod |89 is not fed forward sumciently to open the shutters, but other means come into play which prevent release of the clutch connecting the cylinder and the arm |61. Said means will now be described. As shown in Fig. 13, the shaft |81 is formed with an enlarged portion |99 which fits into an internally threaded sleeve |9|. The rear part of the portion |99 is formed with an upset thread to mesh with the thread in said sleeve. Ihe latter has a lateral tubular projection |92 which is threaded upon a nipple |93, the nipple being screwed into an opening in the hollow boss |15. Mounted to slide in the tubular extension are two alined pins |95 and |95a which are connected by a spring |95. Ano-ther spring |91 weaker than the spring |196` urges the pin upward or toward the shaft |81. When the parts are set for cold weather condition, the shaft |81 is withdrawn so that the enlargement |99 will clear the upper end of the pin |95 and pin |95 will be urged by the spring |91 acting on pin |95a and spring |96 into the sleeve |91. When, however, the shaft |81 is fed forward the enlarged portion |99 thereof will depress the pin |95 causing the lower end of pin |9517,l to enter the hollow boss |15, as shown in Fig. 13. When in this position the pin |95a serves as a latch to hold the plunger |56 in its inner position and thereby keeping the clutch engaged. To this end, the plunger |56 is provided with a stem 299 which extends toward the hollow boss |15. The outer end of the stem 299 is headed to retain a tubular member 292 slidable thereon. A spring 293 normally presses the member 292 outward. The member 292 is formed with a head 294 which is beveled outwardly but terminates on the inward side in an abrupt shoulder 295 adapted to engage the latch pin |95.

Assuming that the regulator is set for moderate weather conditions with the portion |99 depressing the latch pin |95 so that it projects into the tubular boss, when sufcient suction is produced in the cylinder to retract the plunger and engage the clutch, the shouldered head 294 will snap past the latch pin |95@ and will lock the plunger in its retracted position. The spring |99` permits the pin |95a to move axially as the head 299l moves into latched position. As long as the plunger |55 is thus locked, it will be impossible to release the clutch and the shutters will have to obeyA the movement of the thermostat whether the motorV is running or not. When the shaft |81 is moved back toward winter position and the portion |99 is moved clear of pin |95, the spring |91 will withdraw the latch pin |95@ from the shoulder 295 releasing the plunger so that when the motor stops the clutch will be disengaged.

The position of the parts in Fig. 13 is that which they will occupy when the regulator is turned to summer position while the motor is not running but while the radiator is still hot. It will be observed that the rod |89 is holdingthe arm |18V in retracted position thereby holding the shutters open. 'I'he clutch is disengaged because the motor is not running. The thermostat is partially heated as indicated by the position of the cam arm |98 which is holding the cylinder approximately midway of its stroke. The plunger |56 is in idle position and although the latch pin |95 is projecting into the hollow boss |15 the plunger is not latched. As soon,

however, as the motor is started and the clutch engaged the plunger will be latched in the manner described above.

In the construction shown in Figs. 15 to' 17 inclusive the connection between the thermostat and the shutters is rendered operative or inoperative-depending upon whether a backing provided for the thermostats is Xed or not. 'Ihe thermostats are movable bodily from operative to inoperative position, and for winter running conditions I provide means for moving the thermostats into operative position only when the motor is running.` The apparatus is also capable of maintaining a iixed operative relation between the thermostat and the shutters during moderate weather conditions and also of locking the shutters open during summer conditions.

In Fig. 15 a portion of a radiator lis indicated at 229. Projecting through the radiator is a cylindrical chamber 22| closed by a front end wall 222, A cup-shaped bracket 223 is provided with a flange 229 which is secured to the rear end of the cylindrical chamber by boltsf22ta. Within the chamber 22| is a thermostat 225 which may be of the same type as that shown in Fig. 3, or may consist of a number cells connected in series as shown in Fig. l5. However, the particular type of the thermostat used forms no part of the present invention and hereafter in using the term thermostat it will be understood that this may apply to a number of thermostats connected together or to a single thermostat.

The thermostat 225 is secured at its inner end to a rod 226 while at the opposite end it bears against a thrust block 221. The rod 229 is threaded into a rectangular frame 228 preferably formed of strap metal. This frame passes through slots 229 in the cup 229` The frame 228 is thus capable of limited movement with respect to the cup bracket 223. At the opposite end of the thermostat, the thrust block 221 is Xed to a pin 239 which slides in a tubular guide 29| secured to a rectangular frame 232. This frame is disposed at right angles to the frame 229 and is located partly within the chamber 22| and partly outside, with the legs of the strap passing through slots 233 in the flange 224. The tubular guide 23| is adapted to slide in a socket member 235 formed at the end of a rod 235 which in turn is adapted to slide in a bearing formed in the end wall 222. The rod 236 leads to the shutters, being so connected thereto that as it is forced outward from the chamber the shutters will be forced open against the usual spring means tending to close them. Between the frame 232 and the thrust block 221 a compression spring 231 is provided. As a result, when the thermostat 225 expands it will advance the guide 23| through the medium of the spring 231 until said guide bottoms in the socket 235 after which further movement will force the shutter rod 239 outward to open the shutters. In the drawings, Fig. l5, the thermostat is shown in retracted or idle position, which position it would normally occupy when the radiator is cool and the motor is not running.

Mounted in the cup 223 is a cylinder 23S. The cylinder 238 is Xed to the cup by means of screws 299 which pass through slots 299, so as to provide for adjustment of the position or" the cylinder 239 with respect to the cup and are threaded into the cylinder head 24| or inner end wall. An elbow iitting 292 passes through one of the slots 299 and is screwed into the cylinder head 29|. This provides communication through a passage 243 to the interior of the cylinder and a tube 244 threaded into the elbow leads to the intake inanifold of the motor. The outer end of the cylinder 238 is closed by an end plate 245 which carries a pair of posts 246 extending outwardly and passing through suitable openings in the strap frame 252. The posts are connected at their outer ends by a cross head 248.

Within the cylinder is tted a plunger 25S, and a spring 25D bearing between the plunger 245 and the cylinder head 24| normally presses the plunger 249 outward. The plunger 259 controls a clutch by which the frame 228 is connected to the cylinder 23S and is provided with a stem 255 which at its outer end has a stepped head. This head comprises an outer portion 252 of large diameter and an inner portion 253 of reduced diameter. The portion 252 has sliding engagement with a sleeve 254 xed to the outer end of the strap frame 228. The sleeve 254 in turn slides in a bushing 255 xed to the end plate 245 of the cylinder. This bushing at its inner end is formed with an enlarged bore to form a cup 255. 'Ihe sleeve 254 is provided at its inner end with holes passing transversely therethrough to receive balls 251. These balls are of greater diameter than the wall of the sleeve sothat they normally engage the stem 25| of the plunger when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 15. A spring 259 is itted between the end wall 245 of the cylinder and the outer end of the strap frame 228 so that under the normal conditions shown in the drawings, the strap fram-e 228 is held in retracted position and the thermostat 225 carried thereby is also in retracted position.

The operation of the parts so far described is as follows: When the motor is started, suction caused thereby will draw the plunger 249 into the cylinder 238 against the pressure of spring 255i and the portion 253 of the head of the plunger stern by pressing against the balls 255 will draw the sleeve 254 and hence the strap 228 inward, thereby moving the thermostat to operative position. When this takes place the strap frame 232 will be advanced through the medium of the spring 231 so that the guide 23! will be moved into engagement with the botto-m of the socket member 235. Then, as the thermostat expands and contracts the rod 236 will be moved outward and inward opening the shutters and letting them close in accordance with the temperature conditions prevailing in the radiator. When the sleeve 252 is thus moved forward the balls 251 will be pushed outward into the cup by the portion 253 of the stem head and the strap frame 223 will then be locked in its advanced position. In the meantime, variations of suction, due to variations in the running condition of the motor, will have no effect upon the position of the strap frame 228 because the clutch which holds the strap frame in its advanced position will remain engaged. The plunger 249 may play inward and outward in the cylinder without unlocking the clutch due to the length of the reduced portion 253 which holds the balls 25% in the cup 256. Not until the reduced portion 253 has moved outward sufficiently to. clear the balls 255 will the clutch release and this can take place only when the suction in the cylinder is reduced practically to zero.

In order to provide for moderate weather conditions in which it is desirable to maintain the connection between the thermostat and the shutters at all times, I provide means for preventing the clutch from disengaging even when the motor is not running. This is effected by preventing the plunger stem from moving outward sufficiently to unlock the clutch. Mounted to slide in the sleeve 254 is a locking sleeve 255 which is formed with a head at its inner end 255 adapted to co-act with a lip 262 formed at the outer end of the sleeve 254. Within the sleeve 25d is a guide pin 253 which at its outer end is connected to a threaded rod 254. This rod passes through and has threaded engagement with the cross-head 248. A flexible shaft 265 which runs to the dashboard control and which corresponds in general to the ilexible shaft H14 in Fig. 2, is provided with a stem 266 which enters a bore 251 in the rod 284. The stem carries a key 258 which engages a slot 269 formed in the rod 264. Thus, as the shaft 265 is turned from the dash control, the rod 264 will be threaded through the cross head 248 advancing the pin 255. Fixed upon the stem 263 near its outer end is a collar 219 and similarly xed to the outer end of the sleeve 255 is a collar 2li. A spring 212 is fitted between these collars. Thus, as the pin 253 is advanced, the sleeve 260 will be forced forward by pressure of the spring 212, bearing resiliently against the head 252 of the plunger stern. When the shaft 265 is turned to the spring and autumn position, the plunger 249 is fed inward until the clutch is locked. However, as this requires considerable force the result normally will be that the spring 212 will be compressed, and as soon as the motor is started and the plunger 255 is drawn inward by suction, the spring will expand and thereafter will lock the clutch in engaging position. This will maintain the thermostat in its advanced operative position, regardless of variation in running condition of the motor and regardless of whether the motor stops, so that the thermostat and shutters will be operatively connected at all times.

There remains, however, the condition under which it is desirable to maintain the shutters open at all times. As shown in Fig. 15, the strap frame 232 is provided with an outer extension 214 which is formed with an opening 215 through which the pin 253 and the spring 212 may play freely. When the shaft 255 has been turned to the Summer position, the collar 2li? will have been advanced suiiiciently to bear against the extension 214, pressing the strap frame 232 forward and forcing the rod 235 outward, thereby holding the shutters open. When this takes place, the thermostat 225 may expand or contract at will without in the least aifecting the shutters which are maintained in open position. Since the thermostat is thus left free to expand and contract there will be no strain thereon due to the fact that the shutters are held open.

When the motor is overheated the thermostat 225 will be over expanded. In thermostatic shutter controls as heretofore constructed there is no space allowed for over expansion of the thermostats in axial direction and under abnormal heat conditions the thermostats are not infrequently bulged to such an extent as to burst or spring a leak, rendering them valueless for further service. This difliculty I avoid by providing a yielding connection between the themostats and the frame 232. Thus, the spring 231 while powerful enough to transmit an operating thrust to the shutters, will yield under excess pressure after the shutters have been opened.

While I have described several embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that these are to be taken as illustrative and not limitative of my invention and that I reserve the right to make such changes in form, construction and arrangements of parts as fall within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with an engine radiator, a shutter for the radiator, a thermostat, means for operatively connecting the thermostat and the shutter, a latch carried by the connecting means, a bolt movable into the path of the latch to lock the connecting means at a predetermined position, and means for resiliently moving the bolt into such locking position.

2. In combination with an engine including a radiator, a shutter for the radiator, a thermo-- stat, a device connected at one end to the shutter, a member having lost motion on the other end of the connecting device, a spring for taking up such lost motion, means connecting the thermostat to said member, a spring latch carried by the connecting device, a bolt movable across the path of the latch and cooperating therewith to arrest motion of the connecting device in a predetermined position, and manually controlled yielding means for moving the bolt yieldably to latch engaging position.

3. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system including a radiator, means for controlling the cooling capacity of the radiator, means normally disconnected from said control means for operating' the same, means responsive to the running condition ci the engine for connecting the controlling means to the operating means, and manually7 operable means for preventing disconnection of the connecting means.

4. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system including a radiator, means for controlling the cooling capacity of said radiator, a thermostat for operating the controlling means but normally disconnected therefrom, means responsive to suction in the engine for connecting the thermostat and controlling means, and manually operable means for preventing disconnection of said connecting means.

5. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system including a radiator, means for controlling the cooling capacity of said radiator, a thermostat normally disconnected from the controlling means, means responsive to suction in the engine for establishing an operative relation between the thermostat and the controlling means, and manually operable means for preventing dis-establishment of such operative relation when the engine stops running.

6. In combination with an internal combustion engine and its cooling system including a radiator, means for controlling the cooling capacity of said radiator, a thermostat normally disconnected from said controlling means, means responsive to suction in the engine for establishing an operative connection between the thermostat and the controlling means, normally inactive retaining means for preventing disestablishment of said connection, means operable at will for setting said retaining means whereby the latter will become effective after said xed connection has been established.

7. In a temperature control device, a shutter, an actuating means therefor, suction means for establishing an operative connection between the ly controlled means operable at will to prevent unlatching of said members.

9. In combination with an engine and a shutter therefor, a thermostat for operating the shutter, a clutch for making and breaking operative connection between the shutter and the thermostat, lost motion means for operating the clutch, said lost motion means including a cylinder and a plunger and means for connecting the cylinder to a source of variable fluid pressure developed by the running condition of the engine whereby the plunger will move in and out of the cylinder in response to variations of said pressure, means operated by the plunger when in one position for connecting the clutch and when in another position for disconnecting the same, and a stop manually operable to prevent the plunger from reaching the clutch disconnecting position.

l0. In combination with an engine and a shutter therefor, a thermostat for operating the shutter, a clutch for making and breaking operative connectionbetween the shutter and the thermostat, lost motion means for operating the clutch said means including a cylinder and a plunger and means for connecting the cylinder to a source of variable iuid pressure developed by the running condition of the engine whereby the plunger will move in and out of the cylinder in response to variations of said pressure, means operated by the plunger when in one position for connectincr the clutch and when in another position for olis connectmg the same, a normally inactive arresting means, manually controlled means for movmg the arresting means to a position to prevent the .plunger from reaching the clutch disconixeltemgposition, eind a yielding connection ben e manua arresting means. y controlled means and the 1l. In combination with an engine and a radiator therefor, a shutter for the radiator, a thermostat adapted to operate the shutter but normally disconnected therefrom, a clutch operable by suction of the engine for connecting the thermostat and the shutter whereby the shutter will open and close under control of the thermostat means for locking the shutter open, detaining means for preventing disconnection of the clutch when suction ceases and manually operable means for operating the detaining means.

12. In combination with an engine and a shutter therefor, a thermostat for operating the shutter but normally disconnected therefrom,`a clutch operable by suction of the engine for connecting the thermostat and the'shutter whereby the shutter will be opened when the thermostat expands, a spring for closing the shutter when the thermostat contracts, means for lockingl the shutter open, detaining means for preventing disconnection of the clutch when suction ceases, and a manual control for operating the detaining means and the locking means successively.

13. In combination with an engine and a shutter therefor, a thermostat for operating the shutter but normally disconnected therefrom, a clutch operable by suction of the engine for connecting the thermostat and the shutter-whereby the shutter will be opened when the thermostat expands, a spring for closing the shutter, means for locking the shutter open, detaining means for preventing disconnection of the clutch When suction ceases, a manual control for operating the detaining means and the locking means successively, and an indicator for indicating the position of the last two means.

14. In combination with an engine and a shutter therefor, a thermostat for operating the shutter, a connecting device connected at one end to the shutter, a member having lost motion on the other end of the connecting device, a spring for taking up said lost motion, a clutch, one element of the clutch being connected to the thermostat and the other element to said member, a cylinder connected to a source of variable fluid pressure developed by the engine, a plunger movable in the cylinder by such pressure variations, means operated by the plunger When in one position to connect and When in another to disconnect said clutch elements, normally inactive arresting means for preventing the plunger from moving to disconnecting position, normally inactive latch means for engaging the connecting device to hold the shutter open, and manually operable means movable to one position to render the arresting means active and to another position to render the latching means active.

15. In combination with an engine and a shutter therefor, a thermostat for operating the shutter, a connecting device connected at one end to the shutter, a member having lost motion on the other end of the connecting device, a spring for taking up said lost motion, a clutch, one element of the clutch being connected to the thermostat and the other element to said member, a cylinder connected to a source of variable iiuid pressure developed by the engine, a plunger vmovable in the cylinder by such pressure variations, means operated by the plunger when in one position to connect and when in another to disconnect said clutch elements, normally inactive arresting means for preventing the plunger from moving to disconnecting position, normally inactive latch means for engaging the connecting device to hold the shutter open, and manually operable means movable from normal to one position to renderthe arresting means active and to a further position to render the latching means active.

16. In combination with an engine and a shutter therefor, a thermostat for operating the shutter, a connecting device connected at one end to the shutter, a member having lost motion on the other end of the connecting device, a spring for taking up said lost motion, a clutch, one element of the clutch being connected to the thermostat and the other element to said member, a cylinder connected to a source of variable fluid pressure developed by the engine, a plunger movable in the cylinder by such pressure variations, means operated by the plunger when in one position to connect and when in another to disconnect said clutch elements, normally inactive arresting means for preventing the plunger from moving to disconnecting position, a spring latch on the connecting device, a bolt yieldably movable across the path of the latch to engage the same and hold the shutter open, and manually operable means adapted upon movement from normal to one position to actuate the arresting means and upon further movement to another position to project the bolt into the path of the latch.

1'7. In combination, a shutter for an automobile radiator, means for regulating the shutter, said means including a suction operated device and a clutch placed in locking position when the device is fully contracted, automatic means for releasing the clutch when the suction ceases, and means for locking said device against operation.

LOUIS G. HARI'DORN. 

